MLS Direct Kick returns for 2004 season
Published on March 4, 2004 under Major League Soccer (MLS) News Release
NEW YORK (Thursday, March 4, 2004) â Major League Soccer fans across the country will again enjoy three different options for acquiring the MLS Direct Kick package (formerly MLS Shootout) during the League's 2004 campaign, as satellite TV providers DIRECTV and DISH Network, along with digital cable provider iN DEMAND, will combine to each present a full menu of well over 100 MLS regional telecasts in 2004. The residential price for the MLS Direct Kick package during 2004 is just $69 across each of the three platforms.
"Our loyal fans will again have access to their favorite out-of-market players, teams and matchups throughout our 29-week regular season and the entire MLS Cup Playoff run," said MLS Executive Producer Michael Cohen. "We are pleased to be working with DIRECTV for the eighth consecutive season, DISH Network for the fifth year in a row and we welcome back iN DEMAND and its digital cable carriers for a sixth year."
The package will be priced at $69 on all three platforms, while commercial establishments can purchase the package for a flat rate of $100 (regardless of seating capacity). The MLS Direct Kick package will include live and tape-delayed broadcasts of MLS regular-season and MLS Cup Playoff matches. While regional TV carriers are in the process of finalizing schedules with the 10 MLS teams, nearly all of the League's 150 regular season games are expected to be available via the MLS Direct Kick package along with national broadcast partners ABC, ESPN2, Fox Sports World, Fox Sports en Español and HDNet.
PURCHASING THE MLS DIRECT KICK SUBSCRIBER PACKAGE:
DIRECTV â Includes but is not limited to all regional broadcasts on major
networks (e.g. MSG, Comcast, FOX Sports Net)
1-800-DIRECTV, online at www.DIRECTV.com
========================================================
DISH Network â Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the
originating network)
1-800-333 DISH, online at www.DISHNetwork.com
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iN DEMAND â Includes all regional broadcasts (regardless of the originating
network)
1-888-SPORTS-iN, info online at www.indemand.com
*suggested
Major League Soccer has collaborated with all three providers to offer two separate FREE PREVIEW periods for the MLS Direct Kick package during the weekends of April 3 and July 3-4. All MLS Direct Kick package telecasts are subject to change.
The League's ninth season kicks off on Saturday, April 3, with the defending MLS Cup Champion San Jose Earthquakes traveling to Washington's RFK Stadium to face D.C. United live on ABC Sports at 4:00 p.m. ET in what could be the professional debut of United's 14-year-old phenom Freddy Adu. The League's other eight teams kick off that evening, as the 2004 MLS Direct Kick package kicks in with four games â the Columbus Crew host the MetroStars, the Kansas City Wizards welcome the Chicago Fire, the Dallas Burn return to its Cotton Bowl home against the Colorado Rapids, and the Los Angeles Galaxy host the New England Revolution in a rematch of MLS Cup 2002.
Major League Soccer Stories from March 4, 2004
- All 10 Clubs Take a Pass in Thursday's Waiver Draft - MLS
- Chicago Fire Ticket Sales Surpass 2003 Season Total - Chicago Fire FC
- MetroStars Acquire Jamaican Forward Fabian Taylor - Red Bull New York
- Upper Deck Company and MLS to Unveil 2004 Trading Card Set - MLS
- Crew spring training Spain update - Columbus Crew SC
- Crew home opener: 30 days and counting - Columbus Crew SC
- MLS Direct Kick returns for 2004 season - MLS
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